Quad has grown into a full-fledged partnership delivering positive outcomes, Foreign Ministers say
Marking 20 years of regional cooperation between India, US, Japan, and Australia, Foreign Ministers of the four Quad nations have pledged to continue working for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. 

In a joint statement released on Tuesday (December 31, 2024), Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya also reiterated their strong commitment to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

“As four partners, we share a vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific that is peaceful, stable, and prosperous, underpinned by effective regional institutions,” the statement pointed out, adding that the Quad was committed to working together in responding to the future needs of the region.

The Foreign Ministers asserted that what began as an emergency response to the catastrophic 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami had grown into a full-fledged partnership delivering positive outcomes for the people of South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Region. 

“Quad countries now work together and with partners across the Indo-Pacific to address complex challenges, from fighting climate change, cancer, and pandemics, to bolstering quality infrastructure, maritime domain awareness, STEM education, counter-terrorism efforts, critical and emerging technologies, and cyber security,” they said.

The Quad Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their unwavering support for ASEAN’s centrality and unity as well as mainstreaming and implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. “We respect Pacific-led regional architecture, foremost the Pacific Islands Forum. We are also steadfast in our support for the Indian Ocean Rim Association, the region’s premier organization,” the statement added. 

Working Side-by-Side to Respond Quickly and Effectively to Disasters
The Foreign Ministers recalled how, in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, Australia, India, Japan, and the United States came together in service to the people of their region for the first time as the grouping now known as the Quad.

“The tsunami was one of the worst disasters in history, claiming the lives of nearly a quarter million people and displacing 1.7 million across 14 countries. Together our four countries contributed over 40,000 emergency responders, working with other partners across the Indo-Pacific region to support millions of people affected by the catastrophe. We honor the memories of those no longer with us and recognize the survivors and the families of those who were lost,” the statement said.

The joint statement noted that the Quad nations continued to work side-by-side to prepare for and respond quickly and effectively to disasters across the region. “In 2024, our four countries collectively supported disaster preparedness and life-saving relief efforts across the Indo-Pacific, and we continue to build on those efforts to identify new ways to respond rapidly to humanitarian crises and disasters,” it said.